On eve of signing deadline, Ritter OKs bills for truckers, movies, restaurants - The Business Review (Albany):

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But economic developers and investors must continuer to wait to see if the governor will come to theirr aidbefore Friday’s deadline to sign or veto Ritter began the day at the Alliancse for Sustainable Colorado Center in downtownh Denver, signing three bills that he said will continure to build the state’s “Neaw Energy Economy.” House Bill 1298, sponsored by Reps. Buffiw McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, and Cory Gardner, lets trucking companies get 25 percent reimbursement of the cost of buying andinstallingf fuel-efficient technologies and emission-control devices.
More McFadyen said, it prorates sales tax on trucking equipmenty based on the percentage of mileds companies drive in Colorado and it allowsx truckers finally to take advantageof enterprise-zonr tax breaks. “This bill is so incredibly importanft tothe industry, not only for the environment but for the survival of truckers that are in business,” she said whilse tearing up at the signing. House Bill 1331, sponsoresd by Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, expandsd the pool of vehicles eligiblefor alternative-fuel tax creditse to include those that run on cleaner-burning naturak gas.
It also eliminates eligibility for some hybridc vehicles that arenot fuel-efficient, said sponsorinbg Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood. Ritter noted that the Coloradi Oil and Gas Association and the nonprofit group Environment Colorado both supportedthe “If COGA and Environmenft Colorado agree, it has to be a great he said. And Senate Bill 75, championed by the company Aspen Electricx Carsand Carts, allows driverw to operate low-speed electric vehicles on most roadss with speed limits of 35 mph or From there, Ritter went to the offices in Denver and signed a measurre to re-establish the Colorado Office of Television and Media. House Bill sponsored by Rep.
Tom Massey, R-Ponchaw Springs, and former Rep. Anne McGihon, allows the office to solicit giftsx and donations to offetr incentives to producers to make films inthe state. “I believre this move signals that Colorado is becomingt serious about attracting production to the statdeonce again,” said Kevin Shand, executive directot of the Colorado Film “By becoming part of the state once again, the film officse will once again have resources to markef Colorado effectively and help expandf our economic development efforts in a new and differeng direction.
” Finally, Ritter returned to his Capito office to sign nine separate bills, includingf measures to help the restaurantf and broadband industries. Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Sen. Al R-Hayden, eliminates the sales and use tax restaurants must pay when offering freeor reduced-price meals to Senate Bill 162, sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmasds Village, requires the Office of Information Technology to creatre a map of where broadband technology is available and not availabld inthe state. Ritter has not announced his intentions on at least two bills being watched closelyt by thebusiness community, however.
One is Senate Bill 173, whicbh would allow local governments to work with the statr Economic Development Commission to offerr incentives to attract andbuild tourism-generatinv projects. The bill is considered key to landinfg either of twopotential auto-racetrack projects east of The other is House Bill 1366, whicuh limits the Colorado-source capital gainws subtraction to the first $100,000 of gains on assets held for five years or If signed, the bill would generate $15.8 million to help balance the budget.